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Science News Archive 2018 - Page 413


Page 413 of 473

Berkeley Lab 'minimalist machine learning' algorithms analyze images from very little data

Researchers create a new approach to machine learning using a single-layer neural network that can analyze images with limited training data. The algorithm, called MS-D, requires far fewer parameters than traditional methods and has the ability to learn from a remarkably small set of images.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 21, 2018

Bacteria produce more substances than hitherto assumed

A team of researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum has discovered that the bacterium Streptomyces chartreusis produces 1,044 different substances, exceeding expectations. Many of these substances have pharmaceutical potential and could lead to new treatments for patients who suffer from iron overdose or aluminium toxicity.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 21, 2018

Creative couples' intervention significantly helps people with Alzheimer's communicate

A new study shows that a creative couples' intervention significantly improves communication in people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. The 10-week program increased facilitative communication in caregivers and sociable communication in care receivers, leading to better understanding, intimacy, and reduced conflict.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalInternational Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·DateFeb 21, 2018

Turn off the telly and get moving

A recent study published in the Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis found that prolonged TV viewing increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, a potentially fatal condition. The research, which analyzed data from over 15,000 Americans, suggests that even regular exercise is not enough to offset the risks of sedentary behavior.

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis·DateFeb 21, 2018

Sea-level legacy: more rise for each delay in peaking emissions

A new study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found that delaying global CO2 emission peak by five years between 2020 and 2035 could result in an additional 20 cm of sea-level rise by 2300. The researchers used a combined climate-sea-level model to analyze the impact of delayed mitigation on global sea-level rise.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 20, 2018

Why the boss always gets the blame

Researchers found that social role, not causal influence, determines blame distribution in real life. The study tested this assumption in an online experiment with 209 test participants and found that bosses received more criticism than employees even when they didn't make the decision.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalPhilosophical Psychology·DateFeb 20, 2018

Improving family-based comm. Key to enhancing sexual health outcomes of GBQ adolescents

A Penn nursing study found that sex communication with parents is rarely discussed among gay, bisexual, and queer male adolescents, often being heteronormative and reactionary. The study suggests that targeted family-based sexual health discussions can minimize risk behaviors and improve overall health outcomes for this demographic.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing·JournalJournal of Adolescent Research·DateFeb 20, 2018

MEMS chips get metalenses

Researchers developed a device that combines metasurface lenses with MEMS technology, enabling fast scanning and beam steering. The integrated device can control the angular rotation of a flat lens and scan the focal spot by several degrees.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Photonics·DateFeb 20, 2018

Patients with advanced cancer may be less competent to make decisions than doctors think

A study found that patients with advanced cancer were less capable of making treatment decisions than healthy adults, but doctors often overestimated their competence. The research suggests a shift in patient-doctor relationships, emphasizing the importance of respecting patient autonomy while ensuring decision-making capacity.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalAmerican Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry·DateFeb 20, 2018

Optimal fertilization thanks to sensor and cloud

A new nitrate sensor developed by Ruhr-University Bochum can analyze one drop of plant juice in seconds to determine optimal fertilization levels, resulting in improved crop yields and reduced waste. The sensor is linked to a cloud-based system that estimates regional fertilizer demand and provides farmers with real-time data.

Brain aging may begin earlier than expected

Researchers at Lancaster University have developed a new non-invasive technique to study brain function and its relation to aging. Preliminary results suggest that brain aging may begin earlier than expected, with declines in coherence between cerebrospinal fluid oscillations observed in participants over 25.

SourceLancaster University·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 20, 2018

A matter of dynamics

Researchers found that non-selective ion channels, like the NaK channel, have a selectivity filter with sizeable dynamics, unlike selective channels. The study revealed two different forms of the selectivity filter, one for each ion type, which explains why the NaK channel can pass both sodium and potassium ions.

SourceForschungsverbund Berlin·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 20, 2018

Gut reactions to improve probiotics

Research explores how gut bacteria respond to common changes in their habitat, revealing that bacterial species can go extinct when environments are altered even slightly. This understanding could lead to the design of targeted probiotics and therapies to make gut microbes more resilient.

Hospital charges for outpatient cancer care highly variable, Medicare billing records show

A recent analysis of Medicare billing records reveals that hospital charges for outpatient oncology services can exceed Medicare payouts by twofold to sixfold. The study, published in the American Journal of Managed Care, emphasizes the need for fair and transparent pricing to protect vulnerable patients from financial burdens.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalThe American Journal of Managed Care·DateFeb 20, 2018